United Negro College Fund - Feature Stories
Innovations at HBCUs: Spotlighting Groundbreaking Research and Achievements
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How Artificial Intelligence Can Help You Sell Homes Faster
It’s a precarious time for house hunting. Prices are high and show no signs of lowering, as housing affordability hit a 37-year record low this year. Moreover, mortgage rates continue to soar, climbing to more than 7% – the highest in 10 years.
That said, for some buyers, the market is friendlier than it was months ago. Despite inflation, skyrocketing interest rates, and the threat of an impending recession, some homebuyers could benefit from the current state of the market.
In a Slumping Market, These Buyers Can Find Advantages
It’s a precarious time for house hunting. Prices are high and show no signs of lowering, as housing affordability hit a 37-year record low this year. Moreover, mortgage rates continue to soar, climbing to more than 7% – the highest in 10 years.
That said, for some buyers, the market is friendlier than it was months ago. Despite inflation, skyrocketing interest rates, and the threat of an impending recession, some homebuyers could benefit from the current state of the market.
6 Ways to Find Help With a Pet’s Veterinary Bills
For all the love they give, dogs and cats also need healthcare to keep them wagging and purring. Vaccinations, flea and tick control, and diarrhea are among the reasons you may seek veterinary care. A vet visit involving a physical exam or consultation typically costs around $50, depending where you live. That doesn’t count extras such as lab work or medication.
One of the most common procedures in a young pet’s life — spay or neuter surgery — typically costs $100 to $300 at a private vet. But you may be able to find free or low-cost services at a local SPCA or nonprofit foundation. PetSmart Charities offers a database of low-cost spay and neuter services. Find a location near you.
Push-button Start may be Safer than Key Ignition Switches
In the wake of General Motors' recall of nearly 2.6 million vehicles affected by faulty ignition switches, you may want to consider push-button start if you’re in the market for a new vehicle, as safety issues in key ignition switches are raising concerns.
Bloomberg reports that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received more than 18,000 key ignition complaints across many makes and models since the 1980s. According to Bloomberg, the peak of these complaints was in 2000 and included reports of keys getting caught in the ignition, vehicles starting by themselves and vehicles stalling while in motion. Ford Focus models from 2000 to 2005 received more than 2,000 ignition complaints, which is more than any other make or model received, Bloomberg reports.
Biography: Caroline Lira
Caroline Lira is the team lead and contracting officer for the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Carderock Division’s Contracts Branch (Code 0232). Lira’s branch supports the Combatant Craft Division (Code 83) by providing them with the appropriate large contract vehicles necessary for supplies and services that maintain and repair the Navy's fleet of smaller watercraft.
“If it deals with a watercraft less than 230 feet in length, we're on it,” Lira said. “Most of our contracts range from a little more than $1 million to $50 million. We also have contractor support for waterfront operations and engineering services.”
Study: Rearview Cameras Help Prevent More Collisions than Rear Sensors
A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that rearview cameras may be better than rear parking sensors at preventing collisions when a vehicle reverses. According to the study, in some cases, rearview cameras alone stopped more collisions than rearview cameras paired with parking sensors.
Spring Cleaning for Your Car
The dawning of spring can inspire us to refresh and renew many aspects of our lives. Our homes and wardrobes often get a spring-inspired overhaul, but our cars can also benefit from revitalization as the seasons change. Whether you live in an area with a mild winter or have experienced harsh weather and snow, here are some steps you can take this spring to keep your car in tip-top shape.
Ford Unveils Lightweight Concept Car to Improve Fuel Economy
Ford has introduced a lightweight concept model of its midsize Fusion sedan, which the company says supports its efforts toward achieving better fuel economy on future models. Ford says its Lightweight Concept car uses “advanced materials,” which trim almost 25 percent off the 2013 Fusion's weight, making its weight similar to that of the subcompact Ford Fiesta.
Is Housing Inventory Finally on the Rise?
Ask just about anybody who has tried to buy a home recently: There aren’t enough houses on the market for every interested and qualified buyer.
Housing inventory has been – and remains – at a record low. That’s been good for homeowners who want to sell at the highest possible listing price, and challenging for buyers who wish to access to a range of affordably-priced properties.
6 Missteps to Avoid When Buying a Home
There are plenty of “dos” during the house-hunting process, but don’t forget about the “don’ts.” Some key missteps could cause an offer to fall through, or worse – a deal itself.
Avoid these big pitfalls, and you’ll keep the house-hunting process going as smooth as possible.
The Murdocks: Overcoming the Odds Together
Petra and David Mudrock are newcomers in town, recently relocating to North Potomac from Potomac in May 2022 with their five-year-old daughter Sophia. Potomac provided a better value for their family.
“It couldn’t get any cheaper,” she said. “You can get something bigger in Potomac for the same price you would get something smaller in Bethesda. Potomac is also less crowded, quieter, and it’s easier to find parking.”
Patent Awarded for Radiological Criticality Dosimeter
In November 2016, Dr. Luis Benevides, a retired Navy captain and current radiation safety officer in Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division’s Safety Branch (Code 10242), had an idea to design a dosimeter to monitor and measure nuclear criticalities using elements like gold, tin and sulfur incorporated in 3D-manufactured material. Inside that material would contain nanoparticles used for the dosimeter's intended purposes. On June 8, 2021, Benevides and his co-creators successfully received a patent (Radiological criticality dosimeter using nanoparticle technology in additive manufacturing, U.S. Patent 11,029,428) for the device.
He compared the device's potential to a movie scene.